FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act

National VFW - 9/25/2017

On Monday, the Senate voted 89-8 to overwhelmingly pass their version
of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate
version authorizes $700 billion in total –– $640 billion for the
Pentagon’s base budget, and $60 billion to sustain ongoing operations in
Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Included in the Senate version is a 2.1
percent pay increase for service members; $8.5 billion to strengthen
missile defense; 24 additional F-35 joint strike fighters; 10 additional
Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets; five more Navy ships; and end-strength
increases of 6,000 soldiers and 1,000 Marines. In light of this, the
Senate version still includes TRICARE fee increases, which the VFW
strongly opposes, and is $83 billion above authorized budget caps for
military spending. The House and Senate will meet next week to resolve
any differences between their versions of the bill. Stay tuned to the
Action Corps Weekly for updates on this important bill.